author : Peter Saccio

This is the course guidebook that accompanies the 36 lecture “Great Course” of the same name. It is essentially an abbreviated transcript of each lecture, some related reading, and some “questions to consider”. (I watched the lectures, which is what I am reviewing here, and am using the book simply as an aide-memoire.)

Here we get to look at a selection of Shakespeare plays from a variety of angles. We are assumed to have some knowledge of the play, and the plot is described in only one case (and Saccio apologises for doing so, but it is necessary for the point he is making). Each selected play has two or three lectures devoted to it, each examining a specific aspect of it: comedy, justice, sex, honour, kingship, heroism, violence, suffering, and more. This provides deep insights into these aspects.

Saccio clearly adores his subject, and provides evidence for why he might be right to do so. In particular, his descriptions of different productions of several plays, and the insights he gained from watching the actors’ and directors’ choices, was illuminating. I learned a lot from these lectures, but, despite Saccio’s enthusiasm, I have not been left with a desire to see any of the plays I have not already seen, or to re-see those I have. I guess I’m just a theoretician. Or a Philistine. (Why not both?)